“What all schoolchildren learn,
Those to whom evil is done
Do evil in return.” (Auden)

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is 1986 horror film based on a true story. The film is shocking, to say the least, in some of its contents. Henry is abused by her mother in his childhood. As she had sex with old men she made Henry watch every dirty act. After some time he could not take it any longer, Henry just kills her mother. As is the problem with all serial killers, Henry finds it difficult to recall the act in its entirety. Henry is a bug exterminator by profession and shares the apartment with another guy named Otis. Henry’s life takes a turn as Otis’ sister Becky moves into their apartment as she has no money to pay the rent. Becky from the start is interested in Henry and here comes another face of Henry – an average guy who falls for the girl in the apartment. The moral tension is interesting to observe. Henry is serial killer; Otis has no remorse over seeing her sister naked.

Otis becomes an accomplice in Henry’s killings as he accompanies Henry to a night club. They both enjoy beer and then launch a killing spree. The victims are two prostitutes and a salesman. As for the police, it is dumb as ever. Henry is always one step ahead of them. He knows that if he kills one person with a bullet and another with a knife, police would never be able to find a common thread between two murders. Moreover he changes the locations to kill the people and all the murders look like random killing acts.

The film ends leaving you guessing for hours. You take a cup of coffee and become engrossed in thinking about the incidents movie has shown. Henry is seen dumping a body. All viewers can hear are moans and groans of —– perhaps Becky!

Henry Portrait of a Serial Killer